Firing mechanism for break-action over and under firearm



Oct. 4, 1966 H. E. JOHNSTON FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1965 ON w INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. JOHNSTON BY 2 on o g mm vw ohm wmm 0 w mm EN W r N NN mm mm mm mm Oct. 4, 1966 H. E. JOHNSTON FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1965 R m N E V 8N m 3 w: NNN 21 on NE m on. m8 w wmm 08 g 3N Dwww & o m8 0d. 4, 1966 H JOHNSTON 3,276,158

FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM Filed July 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. JOHNSTON Oct. 4, 1966 JOHNSTON 3,276,158

FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM Filed July 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

HAROLD E. JOHNSTON Unite ate 3,276,158 FIRING MECHANISM FOR BREAK-ACTION OVER AND UNDER FIREARM Harold E. Johnston, 3506 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, Ariz. Filed July 12, 1965, Ser. No. 470,979 15 Claims. (CI. 42-41) This invention relates to a firearm mechanism, and more particularly to a lever operated break-action over and under firearm mechanism.

Prior art break-action over and under shotguns and combination rifles have generally been operable by a laterally pivoted lever on the upper tang structure above the trigger guard of such firearms and such disposition of a locking lever ordinarily precludes the location of hammer, sear and safety mechanism conveniently to provide safety, reliability, durability and many other features which are desirable in a modern sporting firearm.

Furthermore, there have been no prior art over and under firearms of short compact construction which are provicled with an actuating lever and which resemble classic lever-action carbines, such as the Model 94 Winchester.

Most prior art over and under double break-action firearms employ hammer and firing pin mechanism, which necessitates the use of firing pins which are disposed at an angle to the axis of the respective bore of the gun, which imposes a tendency to break firing pins and to provide relatively inefiicient ignition action.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a firearm mechanism which includes a double barrel over and under structure of a pivoted break-action type which is operable by a lever beneath the lower tang of the breech structure of the gun and which also forms a trigger guard, and whereby the combination of the underneath actuating lever With the over and under break-action mechanism also promotes the use of novel hammer, sear and trigger mechanism, which is very simple, durable, reliable and efiicient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a double over and under break-action firearm mechanism employing an underneath actuating lever to unlock the breakaction mechanism and which also comprises numerous safety features, as well as simplicity, reliability and efficiency, in relation to the operation of hammers, sear and trigger mechanism, as well as a novel safety cooperating therewith and operable on the upper side of the upper tang of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel over and under break-action firearm mechanism employing novel staggered hammer and hammer spring actuating means cooperable with firing pins all axially aligned with respective cartridge handling bore structures whereby durability, safety and efficiency of the mechanism is attained.

Another object of the invention is to provide an over and under break-action lever operated firearm mechanism, which is very simple in construction, easy to assemble and disassemble and which is therefore very economical and easy to maintain in proper safe and efiicient operating condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel over and under hammer, sear and trigger mechanism, wherein common springs serve as return springs for the sear and trigger mechanism and wherein the hammers are slida-bly mounted in rectilinear guides in the receiver housing of the invention, in order to cooperate with said sear mechanism to provide a very simple and reliable hammer, sear and trigger mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel firearm mechanism comprising a lever actuated break-action over and under structure, wherein an actuating lever at the lower side of the mechanism is pivoted to actuate a breech-locking block and wherein a return spring tends to hold the block and the lever in closed lock position and wherein adjustable means is provided for retaining a closed condition of the lever, regardles of wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firearm mechanism having very simple breech block and sear mount holding spring which serves to maintain the breechlocking block in operative position and which is supported by a sear mounting block, all of which are readily removable from the receiver housing of the mechanism without special tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel over and under lever actuated firearm mechanism in which the over and under double barrels are readily exchangeable such that a common breech mechanism may be alternately fitted with double barrels, either combination shotgun and rifle barrels or over and under shotgun barrels as well as over and under rifle barrels, whereby a sportsman may utilize a common and familiar breech mechanism, together with various sets of barrels to accommodate all of his shooting needs and to thereby lend proficiency to the shooter who may become very familiar with the handling qualities of the weapon, the pull of the triggers, the balance, etc., during the shooting of game birds, small game, and/ or big game.

Another object of the invention is to provide an over and under break-action firearm mechanism, particularly adapted for use in tight breeching of rimmed cartridges and efficient trigger, sear and hammer mechanism cooperable therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a firearm mechanism of the break-action lever operated type having novel extractor mechanism which is very strong, reliable and simple of construction and maintenance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an over and under break-action lever operated firearm mechanism, wherein portions of the firing pin actuating hammers when moving toward the firing pins, after being released by the scars, are aligned so as to engage the breech-locking block in the event it is in unlocked position, thereby force it toward lock position before the hammers are able to cont-act the firing pins and thereby insure safe operation of the mechanism, such that the firing pins cannot be projected into ignition position when the locking block of the mechanism is unlocked to an unsafe degree.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lever actuated break-action over and under firearm mechanism in which the breech-locking mechanism is very strong, simple and durable and provided with great breech-locking leverage which, at all times, maintains the breech securely locked during the firing of cartridges in the barrels of the firearm.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an over and under lever actuated break-action firearm mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the fire-arm mechanism of the invention, showing portions thereof fragmentarily and other portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration; FIG. 2 showing the mechanism disclosed in FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken from the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the breech end of the barrel housing of the mechanism of the invention and showing a shot-gun chamber in an upper barrel and a rifle chamber in a lower barrel of the barrel housing;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken from the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is another fragmentary plan sectional view taken from the line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the barrel housing frontal portion of the receiver housing and the extractor mechanism of the invention showing a broken line position thereof, wherein pivotal movement of the barrel housing relative to the breech housing causes extendable actuation of the extractor of the mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken from the line Iii-10 of FIG. 9 showing the construction of the extractor, extractor operating cam, together with a portion of the breech housing and barrel housing of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken from the line 1111 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 12-12 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on substantially the same plane as FIG. 2, showing the breechlocking block mechanism of the invention and illustrating a spring-loaded lever bolting mechanism and illustrating portions of the actuating lever in various positions with respect thereto;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken from the line 1414 of FIG. 2 showing detent mechanism of the safety of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a trigger guard area of the firearm structure of the invention disclosing a modification thereof, wherein the trigger guard is used in place of a lever and the trigger guard is slidable rearwardly to retract the breech locking block; FIG. 15 also showing portions broken away and in section to amplify the illustration and indicating by broken lines positions of two fingers of a persons hand adapted to apply force rearwardly slidably to operate the trigger guard and to actuate the locking block.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the invention relates to a firearm mechanism, and more particularly to a short compact carbine type of firearm of the over and under break-action variety and wherein the break-action is operated by a lever below the lower tank and triggers of the mechanism.

With specific reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the firearm mechanism of the invention comprises a barrel housing 28, wherein breech ends of shotgun and rifle barrels 22 and 24, respectively are secured. As for example, the uppermost shotgun barrel 22 may be a conventional three inch gauge Magnum and the lower rifle barrel 24 may be barrel chambered for the conventional 30.30 Winchester cartridge. It will be understood, however, that the upper and lower barrels 22 and 24 may be bored and chambered for different cartridges, as for example, both barrels may be shotgun barrels or both barrels may be rifle barrels of different calibers and for different cartridges. These barrels are fixed in the barrel housing 20 and project from the front end 26 thereof, forwardly toward muzzle ends 28 and 30, respectively, of these barrels. Near the muzzle ends 28 and 30 is a barrel band 32 securing the barrels together and carrying a front sight 34.

A forearm 36, preferably made of wood, is secured to a frontal portion 26 of the barrel housing 20 and substantially surrounds a rearward portion of the barrel 24.

The barrel housing 20 is pivoted in a break-action relation to the breech housing 38 of the invention by means of a bolt 40 which, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, passes through a lug 4-2 of the barrel housing 20 and also a side portion 44 of the breech housing 38, as well as a breech housing side plate 46, all as will be hereinafter described in detail. The bolt 48, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, is provided with a head portion 4-8 abutted in a conical recess in the front portion 44 of the breech housing 38 and an opposite screw-threaded end 58 of the bolt 40 is screw-threaded into an extractor operating cam 52 which is recessed in an outer side of the breech housing side plate 46. This cam 52 is provided with an actuating nib 54 projecting upwardly from a neck portion having opposite sides 56 and 58 recessed in the side plate 46 at 68, all as shown best in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, whereby the cam 52 is secured in the recess of the side plate 46 and prevented from rotating about the axis of the bolt 48, so that the cam nib 54, extending upwardly into a slot 62 of an extractor 64, may actuate the extractor axially relative to the barrel housing 20, when it is pivoted about the axis of the bolt 48 relative to the breech housing 38.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the extractor 64 is provided with a dovetail slide portion 66, slidably mounted in a dovetail groove 68 in a side of the barrel housing 20 and, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, this extractor is provided with a hand portion 7 0 having a pair of quadrant portions 72 and 74 disposed to engage rim portions of cartridges in chambers '76 and 78 in the rearward portions of the barrels 22 and 24, respectively. The portion of the extractor 64 is recessed at edge portions 88, 82 and 84 to be flush with a rearward breech face 86 of the barrel housing 20. It will be seen from FIG. 9 of the drawings that when the barrel housing 20 is pivoted about the axis of the bolt 40 and When the cam nib 54 is held stationary relative to the housing portion 44 and the side plate 46 that the face 86 at the rear of the barrel housing moves to a plane indicated at A in FIG. 9 of the drawings, while the extractor portion 70 remains restrained to the broken line position, as shown in FIG. 9, such that rims of cartridges engaged by the quadrants '72 and 74 will be extracted from the chambers 76 and 78.

It will be understood that the recessed quadrants 72 and 74 are reamed concurrently with the reaming of the chambers 76 and 78, so that the chambers are very tight structurally to provide for efiicient support of the cartridges therein and to thereby provide very tight breeching facilities for modern cartridges.

A forward portion of the breech housing 38, which carries the bolt 48 extends in a cantilever supported disposition relative to a breech face 88 of the breech housing. This breech face 88 is disposed to be engaged by the face 86 of the barrel housing 20, when the breech of the firearm is closed and ready to be fired.

The cantilever portion 98 of the breech housing 38 is generally L-shaped in cross-section and provided with a bottom portion 92 having a thrust lug 94 which is directed upwardly from the bottom 92. This lug 94 being provided with a thrust face 96 adapted to be engaged by a complemental face 98 of a locking lug 100 integral with the lower portion of the barrel housing 28. This locking lug 188 is provided with a ramp-locking ledge 102, which, when the barrel housing 20 is closed, declines at a very acute angle downwardly tnd rearwardly toward the breech housing 38.

Engageable with the ramp ledge 102 is a low surface 104 of a locking block 106, shown best in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

This locking block 186 is slidably mounted fore and aft in the breech housing 38 between upper and lower guide surfaces 108 and 110, respectively.

An upper forwardly declining surface 112 of the locking block 186 is adapted to be engaged by a complemental cam surface 114- of the lug 10%), during pivotal closing action of the barrel housing 20 relative to the breech housing 38. A spring 116 is fitted in a socket in the normally rear end of the locking block 106 and tends to urge it forwardly; the rear end of the spring being engaged on a forward end 118 of a block 120 having a ledge portion 122 bearing against a normally downwardly directed support portion 124 integral with the breech housing 38.

Extending through the block 120 is a sear pivot pin 126 on which a pair of sears 128 and 130 are pivotally mounted, all as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 8 of the drawings. The pin 126 extends into a recess 132 in a side wall of the housing 38 and into another recess 134 in the side plate 46. It will be understood that the side plate 46 is shown removed in FIG. 2 of the drawings in order to expose the mechanism internally of the breech housing 38.

The sears 128 and 130 being pivoted on the pin 126 are also engaged by a pair of respective springs 136 and 138, which tend to pivot the sears downwardly at their rear ends about the axis of the pin 126. The rearward ends 140 and 142 of the sears are abutted to an upper surface 144 of a lower tang 146 of the breech housing 38.

The sears 128 and 130 are provided with" sear engaging and release portions 148 and 150, respectively, which are engageable by respective sear engaging portions 152 and 154 of hammers 156 and 158, respectively. These sear engaging portions 152 and 154 are downwardly directed and carried by rearwardly extending arm portions 160 and 162 of the hammers 156 and 158. Upper surface portions of the arms 160 and 162 slide against a lower edge 164 of a downwardly extending portion 166 of the breech housing 38, while lower surface portions 170 and 172 of the hammers 156 and 158 are slidable against a horizontal ledge surface 174 in the breech housing 38. Upper surface portions 176 and 178 of the hammers 156 and 158, as shown in FIG. 5, slide against an upper horizontally disposed wall surface 180 internally of the breech housing 38 and in opposed relation to the surface 174.

The hammers 156 and 158 are provided with offset portions 182 and 184. These portions 182 and 184 being staggered to permit axial alignment of the hammers with the axes of the barrels 22 and 24. The hammers 156 and 158 are provided with recess portions 186 and 188 in the rearward portions thereof, these recesses 186 and 188 containing hammer springs 190 and 192, which bear against the downwardly extending wall 166 and tend to urge the hammers forwardly toward firing pins 194 and 196. The hammers 156 and 158 are provided with forwardly directed faces 198 which are adapted to engage the firing pins 194 and 196 to project them forwardly for the purpose of igniting cartridge primers, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

It will be seen from FIG. 5 of the drawings that the offset portions of the hammers 156 and 158 provide for the vertical alignment of the springs 190 and 192 and their axial alignment with the axes of the barrels 22 and 24, as well as axial alignment with the firing pins 194 and 196, which are also axially aligned with the barrels 22 and 24.

It will be seen that the upper hammer 158 is provided with a portion 200 which extends downwardly at one side of the offset portion 184 of the hammer 156 and which is integral with the arm portion 172 and that the offset portion 184 is also provided with a downwardly extending portion integral with the respective arm portion 160, which arm portions 160 and 162 carry the sear engaging portions 152 and 154, hereinbefore described. Thus, the offset portions of the hammers provide concentric alignment of the hammer springs and the firing pins with the respective axes of the barrels 22 and 24.

The firing pins 194 and 196 are substantially identical, except that they may be varied in dimensions to make them compatible for igniting either rifle or shotgun primers, it being understood that the firing pins used for igniting shotgun primers may be of a slightly larger diameter, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

Firing pin 196 is provided with a head portion 202 which may be struck by the face 198 of the hammer 158. The firing pin 196 is retained by a pin 204 extending through the breech housing 38 and a return spring 206 serves to return the firing pin to the position shown in 6 FIG. 2 of the drawings, to withdraw a primer striking end 208 beyond or rearwardly from a cartridge head supporting face 210 of a screw-threadably removable bushing 212 at the face 88 of the breech housing 38.

The screw-threadably removable bushing 212 is provided in relation to each of the firing pins 194 and 196, such that the diameter of the primer striking end 208 of each firing pin may be varied for the purpose of adapting either firing pin to fire or ignite shotgun or rifle primers. Normally, the primer striking portion 208 of each pin may be larger for use in igniting conventional shotgun primers and for the purpose of igniting conventional rifie primers. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that either barrel 22 or 24 may be a shotgun or a rifle barrel, or there may be various combinations of these barrels provided in accordance with the present invention.

The locking block 106 is provided with a slot 214 extending therethrough and engaged in this slot 214 is an actuating nib 216 of an operating lever 218, which is pivoted by means of a pin 220, between bifurcated portions 222 extending downwardly from the lower portion of the breech housing 38, all as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 6 of the drawings. The lever 218 is provided with a trigger guard portion 224 which substantially encloses a pair of triggers 226 and 228. The lever 218 is provided with a tang engaging stop portion 230, which is held against a lower tang portion 146 of the breech housing 38, by means of compression of the spring 116, hereinbefore described.

As shown in FIG. 13, the locking block 106 at its engaging portion 104 is disposed at an incline of approximately 20 degrees with which the surface 102 conforms and it will be seen that an extended end portion 103 of the locking block 106 adjacent the incline portion 112 thereof is spaced from a neck portion 105 of the lug block to permit considerable longitudinal movement to compensate for wear of the surfaces 102 and 104. The inclined angle of 20 degrees providing a very tight locking angle in response to compressive force of a spring 116, which is as hereinbefore described, disposed to force the block incline portion 104 into firm engagement with the incline portion 102 of the lug 100.

A screw 232 is screw-threaded internally of the locking block 106 and this screw 232 is provided with a springloaded plunger 233 therein which forcefully engages the nib 216 of the lever 218, in order to maintain a firm bearing of the portion 230 of the lever on the lower tank 146, when the lever is in closed position and the firearm is in ready position. The screw 232 is a conventional screw having a conventional coil spring therein tending to project the plunger 233 toward the nib 216, this plunger 233 being preferably made of nylon, Teflon or some other durable material having a relatively low coeflieient of friction in its engagement with the nib 216, which is preferably made of steel.

The slot 214 in the locking block 106 extends forward of the nib 216 of the lever 218 when in closed position, to permit closing of the barrel housing 20 in such a manner that the cam portion 114 of the lug 100 may engage the incline portion 112 of the locking block 106 and force it backwardly against compression of the spring 116 Without actuating the lever 218 for pivotal closing of the barrel housing 20 relatively to the breech housing 38.

The locking block 106 is providecLwith a rearward end 276 which engages forward end surfaces 278 of downwardly extending portions 280 and 282 of the hammers 156 and 158, as shown best in FIGS. 2, 7 and 12 of the drawings. Thus, the hammers 156 and 158 are provided with respective downwardly extending portions 280 and 282, each having a forwardly directed surface 278, all as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 12 of the drawings.

It will be seen from FIG. 12 of the drawings that the downwardly extending portions 280 and 282 of the ham- 7 mers 156 and 158, respectively straddle the spring 116 which is extended therebetween and is located between the block 120 and the end 276 of the locking block 106.

The triggers 226 and 228 are pivotally mounted on a pin 234 extending through the lower tang 146, which is provided with a slot 236 in which shank portions 238 and 248 of the triggers 226 and 228, respectively, are extended. The pin 234 abridges the slot 236 and carries the shank portions 238 and 240 which are provided with respective upwardly extending cam portions 242 and 244, which bear on lower portions of the sears 130 and 128, respectively, all as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 6 of the drawings.

A pin 248 extends through the slot 236 and provides a stop for ledge portions 250 of the cam portions 242 and 244 to thereby' limit downward movement of the triggers as urged by the springs 136 and 138 which force the sears downward, firmly into engagement with the cam portions 242 and 244. Thus, the springs 136 and 138 serve as combined sear and trigger return springs.

The sears 128 and 130 are provided with mating semicircular reeess portions 252 and 254 in their upper portions, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 8 of the drawings. These recessed portions are disposed below a downwardly extending end 256 of a safety bar 258 and when the safety bar 258 is in the solid line position, shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the triggers 226 and 228 may be pulled and pivoted about the pin 234 to actuate the sears 130 and 128 upwardly against compression of the springs 138 and 136, respectively, and the recess portions 252 and 254 move upwardly to receive the lower end 256 of the safety bar 258. When the safety bar 258 is in a rearward broken line position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 of the drawings, the lower end 256 prevents upward movement of the sears and, consequently, prevents displacement of the sear portions 148 and 150 relative to the sear engaging portions 152 and 154. Thus, the triggers cannot be pulled and the mechanism is on safety. When the safety bar 258 is in the forward solid line position, as hereinbefore described, permitting the recessed portions 252 and 254 to move upwardly around the lower end 256 of the safety bar, the sear portions 148 and 150 move downwardly relative to the sear engaging portions 152 and 154 of the hammers 156 and 158, thereby releasing them and permitting the springs 190 and 192 to propel the hammers forwardly to strike the firing pins 194 and 196.

The safety bar 258 is mounted in an elongated slot 260 in the upper tang of the breech housing 38 and is provided with a thumb engaging portion 262 disposed to move the safety bar forwardly and backwardly, as desired.

A snap ring 264 is disposed in a groove peripherally of the bar 258 and this snap ring slides adjacent to a surface 266 of the upper tang of the breech housing 38, thus, the bar 258 is held in slidably mounted position to function as a thumb operated safety. It will be appreciated that when the thumb engaging portion 262 is rearward that the mechanism of the firearm is on safety and when the thumb engaging portion 262 is pushed forwardly, the mechanism is in firing position.

As shown in FIG. 14, the breech housing 38 is provided with a laterally drilled hole 39, which intersects the bore 268 at a median location between the forward and rearward positions of a circular cross-section of the safety bar 258. A ball detent 41 is backed by a compression spring 43 tending to hold the detent in engagement with one side of the bar 258, in either its forward solid line position or its rearward broken line position, as illustrated in FIGS, 2 and 14 of the drawings, also in FIG. 8 of the drawings.

When the bar 258 is inserted in the elongated opening 260, shown in FIG. 14, the compression spring 43 is held under compression and the ball 41 is held in the hole 39, until the shaft 258 has been extended therebeyond in its insertion in the opening 260. The snap ring 264 is then secured to the safety bar 258 and when the bar 258 is moved forwardly and rearwardly, the center of the bar passes the ball detent 41 as it moves from either the forward position to the backward position or from the backward position to the forward position, as hereinbefore described.

The side plate 46, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, is provided with a forward edge 268 which bears against an outwardly directed ledge 270 on the normally right-hand side of the breech housing 38, slightly rearward of the breech face 88.

A side plate 46 is secured to the side of thebreech housing 38 by means of screws 272 and 274 secured in internally screw-threaded holes 279 and 289 in the breech housing 38, all as shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11 of the drawings.

Operation of the firearm mechanism of the invention, as hereinbefore described, is substantially as follows:

When the firearm, as shown in FIG. 1, is to be loaded, the lever 218 may be pivoted downwardly about the axis of the screw 220, which causes the nib 216 to bear against the forward bearing end of screw 232 and to force the locking block 106 rearwardly to retract the locking surface 104 from the ledge 102 of the lug 101) and to permit upward pivotal movement of the barrel housing 20 about the axis of the bolt 48 into the position, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

With pivotal actuation of the lever 218, the nib 216 forces the locking block 106 backwardly and its rearward end 276 engages forward end portions 278 of the downwardly extending portions 280 and 282 of the hammer arms and 162, as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 12 of the drawings. Thus, each hammer arm 160 and 162 is provided with a respective downwardly extending portion 280 and 282 having a forwardly directed surface 278, all as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 12 of the drawings. Thus, the rear end 276 of the locking block 106, when it is forced backwardly, carries the hammers 156 and 158 rearwardly until the sear engaging portions 152 and 154 pass over the sear portions 148 and 150 of the scars 128 and 130, this being accomplished by downwardly camming of the sear portions 148 and 158 by means of the cam portions rearwardly of the sear engaging portions 152 and 154, shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The scar springs 136 and 138 react to force the scars 128 and 130 upward to lock the sear engaging portions 152 and 154 and to hold the hammers in cocked position against compression of the springs and 192.

If desired, cartridges may be inserted in the chambers and the barrel housing 20 may be placed in closed position without retracting the lever 218 far enough to cause the nib to engage the sear engaging portions 152 and 154 with the sears 128 and 130 and, thus, the hammers are not cocked and thereby permitting the hammers to be in forward position, such that the breech is closed and in safe condition, the triggers may be pulled without any danger, since the hammers in this position are forward and cannot fall upon the firing pins 194 and 196 with sufiicient force to fire cartridges in either of the barrels 22 or 24. However, a person carrying the firearm mechanism of the invention in this condition may quickly move the lever 218 downwardly to retract the sear engaging portions 152 and 154 into engagement with the sears 128 and 130 to, thus, ready the mechanism to fire cartridges in the chambers of the barrels 22 and 24.

It will be appreciated that the springs 190 and 192. forcing the hammers in axial alignment with the bore portions of the barrels 22 and 24 and with the axes of the firing pins 194 and 196, provides a very simple mechanism having very rapid hammers and axially aligned firing pins which are very durable, efficient and reliable.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the breech locking mechanism, the hammer, sear and trigger actuating and cocking mechanism, all being operated by the lever 218 from the lower portion of the firearm, permits the efiicient locking of the breech by very strong reliable mechanism and also permits the thumb engaging portion 262 and the safety bar 258, to be operated from the upper side of the upper tang by a persons thumb, which is a natural position known to shotgunners, as well as to those persons who have been familiar with the operation of exposed hammer weapons, such as revolvers and various carbine-type rifiles, including the Model 94 Winchester and others.

In the modification of the invention, as shown in FIG. 15, a trigger guard is substituted for the lever 218 for actuating a locking block 3%2, which is similar to the hereinbefore described locking block 106. The trigger guard 3% is provided with an upwardly extending portion 304 disposed in substantially the same position as the nib 236 of the lever 218. Extending through the portion 304 is a pin 3%, which pivotally connects the forward end of the trigger guard 3% with the locking block 302.

A rearward portion 3% of the trigger guard 300 is connected by a screw 310 to a rear tang portion of the breech housing 38. The screw 310 projects through the slot 312, this screw 310 is provided with a shank 314 of a diameter equal to the slot 312, such that the shank is slidable in the slot 312, but the head 319, being of large diameter will not slide through the slot. Thus, the screw 314 permits the rearward portion 3% of the trigger guard 390 to slide backwardly when the trigger guard is retracted in a direction of a an arrow A by fingers illustrated by broken lines B in FIG. 15 of the drawing. Thus, the locking block 3G2 and the hammer structures hereinbefore described are actuated backward into cocked position, in a similar manner to that described in connection with the operation of the lever 218.

The structure shown in FIG. 15 may be preferable to those who are interested in an over and under double shotgun, and particularly a shotgun of conventional appearance, particularly to those persons interested in trap shooting or the like.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the spring 1'16 will return the trigger guard 3G0 forwardly in an opposite direction to the arrow A, after the hammers are cocked and, in this manner, opening of the action may be accomplished by rearward movement of the trigger guard, whereas the spring 1116 will return it in order to maintain the force required for locking of the breech by the locking lock 36? or its equivalent locking block 196, hereinbefore described.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the invention may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a fire mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion or" said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engagea-ble by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supportedly said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; trigger pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said scars and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers.

2. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sears engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; said sears having pivotal axes disposed rearward relative to said sear engaging portions when held by said sears, said triggers having portions engaging said sears at locations rearward relative to said pivotal axes, said triggers pivoted to move said sears upwardly at their rearward portions and to pivot them downwardly at said sear engaging portions of said hammers and to thereby release said hammers to move in response to force of said hammer springs.

3. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; said sears having pivotal axes disposed rearward relative to said sear engaging portions when held by said sears, said triggers having portions engaging said sears at locations rearward relative to said pivotal axes, said triggers pivoted to move said sears upwardly at their rearward portions and to pivot them downwardly at said sear engaging portions of said hammers and to thereby release said hammers to move in response to force of said hammer springs; a safety 'bar movable forward and rearward on said breech housing; a button portion of said bar disposed on an upper surface of said breech housing; a lower end of said bar disposed in said breech housing in close proximity to said sears rearwardly with respect to their pivotal axes; said sears having stepped portions adapted to abut said lower end of said safety bar when it is in one of two fore and aft positions to prevent upward pivotal movement of said rearward portions and to prevent the release of said hammers by said sears; said stepped portions of said sears such that they permit bypassing of said lower end of said safety bar when in the other of said fore and aft positions to permit said triggers to force said rearward ends of said sears upwardly and to cause forward ends of said sears to move downwardly out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers.

4. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever about said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said looking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; a pair of hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers directed forwardly; firing pins supported in said breech housing and engageable by said hammers; springs tending to force said hammers toward said firing pins; sear and trigger mechanism adapted to hold and release said hammers; said breech housing having a breech block face adapted to be abutted by breech ends of said barrels when said barrel housing is pivoted into closed position relative to said breech housing and held by said locking bar; a cantilever portion of said breech housing extending forwardly of said breech face portion and disposed near a lower portion of said breech housing, said cantilever portion generally L-shaped in cross-section and including one substantially vertical side portion and a substantially horizontal bottom portion; an opposite side of said housing from said upstanding portion of said cantilever portion being open to expose said hammer, trigger and sear mechanism and said locking block; a removable side plate secured to enclose said open side of said housing and having a forwardly extending cantilever portion extending forwardly beyond said breech face; a bolt forming a pivotal axis for said barrel housing extending through said cantilever portion of said breech housing and said cantilever portion of said side plate.

5. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever about said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; a pair of hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers directed forwardly; firing pin supported in said breech housing and engageable by said hammers; springs tending to force said hammers toward said firing pins; scar and trigger mechanism adapted to hold and release said hammers; said breech housing having a breech block face adapted to be abutted by breech ends of said barrels when said barrel housing is pivoted into closed position relative to said breech housing and held by said locking bar; a cantilever portion of said breech housing extending forwardly of said breech face portion and disposed near a lower portion of said breech housing, said cantilever portion generally L-shaped in cross-section and including one substantially vertical side portion and a substantially horizontal bottom portion; an opposite side of said housing from said upstanding portion of said cantilever portion being open to expose said hammer, trigger and sear mechanism and said locking block; a removable side plate secured to enclose said open side of said housing and having a forwardly extending cantilever portion extending forwardly beyond said breech face; a bolt forming a pivotal axis for said barrel housing extending through said cantilever portion of said breech housing and said cantilever portion of said side plate; a substantially vertically disposed ledge adjacent said breech face of said breech housing; an edge of said side plate abutted to said substantially vertical ledge rearwardly of said cantilever portion of said side plate.

6. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting 13 Upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; down wardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin Striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; one side of said breech housing open to expose said locking block, hammers and scars and an opposite side of said housing substantially enclosed and having a forwardly extending cantilever portion; a cartridge engaging face of said breech housing disposed rearwardly of said forwardly directed cantilever portion; and a side plate removably enclosing and secured to said one open side of said housing; a forwardly directed cantilever portion of said side plate; and a bolt extending through said forwardly directed cantilever portion of said breech housing and said side plate and forming a pivot structure about said first mentioned horizontal axis.

7. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech "housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative tosaid downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; one side of said breech housing open to expose said locking block, hammers and sears and an opposite side of said housing substantially enclosed and having a forwardly extending cantilever portion; a cartridge engaging face of said breech housing disposed rearwardly of said forwardly directed cantilever portion; and a side plate removably enclosing and secured to said one open side of said housing; a forwardly directed cantilever portion'of said side *plate'; and a bolt extending through said forwardly directed cantilever portion of said breech housing and said side plate and forming a pivot structure about said first mentioned horizontal axis; an extractor cam carried by one of said cantilever portions and extending upwardly toward said barrel housing at one side thereof; an extractor axially slidably mounted on said barrel housing and engageable with said cam; said cam fixed to said one cantilever portion against rotation whereby pivotal movement of said barrel housing relative to said breech housing causes axial slidable movement of said extractor rearwardly with respect to the breech end of said barrel housing.

8. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimosed barrels carried by said barrel housing; means for locking said barrel housing in closed position relative to said breech housing; a pair of hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing and movable in substantially parallel relationship with said barrels when said barrel housing is in closed firing position relative to said breech housing; rectilinear guide means for slidable support of said hammers forwardly and rearwardly in axially parallel relationship with said barrels; sear engaging portions of said hammers integral therewith; trigger and sear mechanism operable to engage and disengage said sear engaging portions; said hammers having laterally offset portions superimposed relative to each other, said offset portions lying in substantially a common vertical plane and in axial alignment with said superimposed barrels; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and normally urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; said springs substantial-1y axially aligned with said barrels; firing pin striking portions on the forward portions of said offset portions of said hammers; and superimposed firing pins supported by said breech housing forwardly of said hammers; said firing pins substantially axially aligned with said barrels.

9. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; means for locking said barrel housing in closed position relative to said breech housing; a pair of hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing and movable in substantially parallel relationship with said barrels when said barrel housing is in closed firing position relative to said breech housing; rectilinear guide means for slidable support of said hammers forwardly and rearwardly in axially parallel relation ship with said barrels; sear engaging portions of said hammers integral therewith; trigger and sear mechanism operable to engage and disengage said sear engaging portions; said hammers having laterally offset portions superimposed relative to each other, said offset portions lying in substantially a common vertical plane and in axial alignment with said superimposed barrels; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and normally urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; said springs substantially axially aligned with said barrels; firing pin striking portions on the forward portions of said offset portions of said hammers; and superimposed firing pins supported by said breech housing forwardly of said hammers; said firing pins substantially axially aligned with said barrels; a substantially closed side of said breech housing forming one rectilinear guide for one of said hammers; a removable side plate enclosing the opposite side of said housing and forming a rectilinear guide for the other of said hammers; forwardly extending cantilever portions of said breech housing and said side plate; a bolt extending through said cantilever portions and forming a pivotal mount about said first mentioned horizontal axis for the pivotal connection of said barrel housing with said breech housing.

10. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a spring supported by said breech housing and tending to force said locking block forwardly; a spring-loaded plunger carried by said locking block and engaging said upwardly projecting portion of said lever; the force of said spring-loaded plunger being substantially less than the force of said first mentioned spring, whereby said spring-loaded plunger only serves to hold said lever in juxtaposition about its pivotal axis.

11. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing: a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; a spring tending to force said locking block forwardly, said spring disposed between said downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearward portion of said locking block.

12. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about 5 a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slida- 'bly mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; a spring tending to force said locking block forwardly, said spring disposed between said downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearward portion of said locking block; a block means removably disposed in said housing and supporting said rearward portion of said last mentioned spring; trunnion means carried by said last mentioned block and providing pivotal support for said sears; opposite ends of said trunnion means being disposed in recess portions in opposite sides of said breech housing.

13. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech hous ing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly,

toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing.

pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said scars and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers; a spring tending to force said locking block forwardly, said spring disposed between said downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearward portion of said locking block; a block means removably disposed in said housing and supporting said rearward portion of said last mentioned spring; trunnion means carried by said last mentioned block and providing pivotal support for said sears; opposite ends of said trunnion means being disposed in recess portions in opposite sides of said breech housing; a removable side plate of said breech housing forming one of said opposite sides thereof.

14. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating lever pivoted to a normally lower portion of said breech housing and about a normally horizontal axis; a portion of said lever above said last mentioned horizontal axis projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said lever engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement With said sear engaging portions of said hammers; a spring tending to force said locking block forwardly, said spring disposed between said downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearward portion of said locking block; a block means removably disposed in said housing and supporting said rearward portion of said last mentioned spring; trunnion means carried by said last mentioned block and providing pivotal support for said sears; opposite ends of said trunnion means being disposed in recess portions in opposite sides of said breech housing; a removable side plate of said breech housing forming one of said opposite sides thereof; said breech housing and said side plate each having a fonwardly extending cantilever portion at a lower portion of said breech housing; a bolt extending through said cantilever portions and providing a pivotal support about said first mentioned horizontal axis at a pivotal location of said barrel housing with said breech housing.

15. In a firearm mechanism, the combination of: a breech housing; a barrel housing pivoted thereon about a normally horizontal axis; a pair of superimposed barrels carried by said barrel housing; an actuating trigger guard slidably mounted in a fore and aft direction on a normally lower portion of said breech housing; a portion of said trigger guard projecting upwardly in said breech housing; a locking block slidably mounted in said breech housing to move forwardly and rearwardly therein; said portion of said trigger guard engageable with said locking block; a forward portion of said locking block; a locking lug on a lower portion of said barrel housing engageable by said forward portion of said locking block for holding said barrel housing in pivoted juxtaposition relative to said breech housing; a rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; hammers slidably mounted in said breech housing in directions substantially parallel with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending portions of said hammers engageable by said rearwardly directed portion of said locking block; firing pin striking portions of said hammers staggered with relation to each other and superimposed in a common vertical plane; hammer springs supported by said breech housing and urging said hammers forwardly toward said barrels; firing pins supported in said breech housing and disposed forwardly relative to said firing pin striking portions of said hammers; said firing pins being substantially axially and concentrically aligned with the axes of said barrels; downwardly extending sear engaging portions integral with said hammers and disposed rearwardly relative to said downwardly extending portions of said hammers; spring-loaded sears pivoted in said breech housing and disposed to engage and hold said sear engaging portions of said hammers against forwardly directed force of said hammer springs; triggers pivoted on said breech housing and engageable with said sears and disposed to pivot said sears downwardly and out of engagement with said sear engaging portions of said hammers.

No references cited.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. 

15. IN A FIREARM MECHANISM, THE COMBINATION OF: A BREECH HOUSING; A BARREL HOUSING PIVOTED THEREON ABOUT A NORMALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS; A PAIR OF SUPERIMPOSED BARRELS CARRIED BY SAID BARREL HOUSING; AN ACTUATING TRIGGER GUARD SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN A FORE AND AFT DIRECTION ON A NORMALLY LOWER PORTION OF SAID BREECH HOUSING; A PORTION OF SAID TRIGGER GUARD PROJECTING UPWARDLY IN SAID BREECH HOUSING; A LOCKING BLOCK SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID BREECH HOUSING TO MOVE FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY THEREIN; SAID PORTION OF SAID TRIGGER GUARD ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LOCKING BLOCK; A FORWARD PORTION OF SAID LOCKING BLOCK; A LOCKING LUG ON A LOWER PORTION OF SAID BARREL HOUSING ENGAGEABLE BY SAID FORWARD PORTION OF SAID LOCKING BLOCK FOR HOLDING SAID BARREL HOUSING IN PIVOTED JUXTAPOSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BREECH HOUSING; A REARWARDLY DIRECTED PORTION OF SAID LOCKING BLOCK; HAMMERS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID BREECH HOUSING IN DIRECTIONS SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH THE AXES OF SAID BARRELS; DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID HAMMERS ENGAGEABLE BY SAID REARWARDLY DIRECTED PORTION OF SAID LOCKING BLOCK; FIRING PIN STRIKING PORTIONS OF SAID HAMMERS STAGGERED WITH RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND SUPERIMPOSED IN A COMMON VERTICAL PLANE; HAMMER SPRINGS SUPPORTED BY SAID BREECH HOUSING AND URGING SAID HAMMERS FORWARDLY TOWARD SAID BARRELS; FIRING PINS SUPPORTED IN SAID BREECH HOUSING AND DISPOSED FORWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID FIRING PIN STRIKING PORTIONS OF SAID HAMMERS; SAID FIRING PINS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY AXIALLY AND CONCENTRICALLY ALIGNED WITH THE AXES OF SAID BARRELS; DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SEAR ENGAGING PORTIONS INTEGRAL WITH SAID HAMMERS AND DISPOSED REARWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS OF SAID HAMMERS; SPRING-LOADES SEARS PIVOTED IN SAID BREECH HOUSING AND DISPOSED TO ENGAGE AND HOLD SAID SEAR ENGAGING PORTIONS OF SAID HAMMERS AGAINST FORWARDLY DIRECTED FORCE OF SAID HAMMER SPRINGS; TRIGGERS PIVOTED ON SAID BREECH HOUSING AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID SEARS AND DISPOSED TO PIVOT SAID SEARS DOWNWARDLY AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SEAR ENGAGING PORTIONS OF SAID HAMMERS. 